Tapping device for beer kegs and the like

ABSTRACT

The present device comprises a keg tapping unit which is connected about a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Peerless&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; type keg opening by insertion through the side filling opening of the keg and in a large &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Golden Gate&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; type keg opening by insertion through the tapping opening. An adapter is provided for connecting the key unit in the larger opening and includes a generally conical member engaged about the tapping unit and having a flange engageable against a shoulder within the keg opening. A coupling nut engages the tapping unit and is threaded about the internal threads in the larger opening to secure the tapping unit to the keg.

A United States Patent [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2/1908 Wawvrzinski l l/1940 Wanderski et a1.

11/1952 Chatten............

[72] Inventor MackS.Johnston Rolling Hills. Calif. 23,454

[2 l Appl No {22] Filed Mar 27, 1970 [45] Patented July 6, 1971 [73]Assignee Republic Corporation Beverly Hills, Calif. Continuation ofapplication Ser. No.

At10meyLe Blanc and Shur 1964, now abandoned.

ABSTRACT: The present device comprises a keg tapping unit which isconnected about a Peerless type keg opening by insertion through theside filling opening of the keg and in a [54] LAgEING DEVICE FOR BEERKEGS AND THE la g a i opgning igsfertion throqgh e ta in o enmg. n a ater is rovl e or connectm clams6nmwmg Flgs the kg' urfit the larger opening 15nd includes a genera? [52] US. 222/400.7 conical member engagedabout the tapping unit and having a [51] int. B6Sd 83/14 flangeengageable against a shoulder within the keg opening. [50] Field of222/4007, A coupling nut engages the tapping unit and is threaded about402.12, 402.14, 402.16, 402.25, 481, 212, the internal threads in thelarger opening to secure the tapping unit to the keg.

PATENIEU JUL 6 I971 SHEET 2 [1F 2 TAPPIN G DEVICE FOR BEER KEGS AND TIIELIKE This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 737,982 filed June18, 1968 which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of copendingapplication Ser. No. 607,297, filed Jan. 4, l967,and acontinuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 587,627 filedOct. I8, 1966, the latter application in turn being a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 406,682, filed Oct. 27, 1964, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a tapping device for drawing liquids such asbeer from containers, for example, beer kegs or barrels, using a gas todrive the liquid from the container. In particular, the inventionrelates to a tapping device usable with either of the two types ofconventional-beer kegs commonly referred to as Peerless and Golden Gatekegs by means of a unique adapter assembly whereby the keg units of thetapping device, which are normally employed with peerless type kegshaving the smaller tapping openings, may be adapted for use with thegolden gate type kegs which have the larger openings.

Prevailing practice in the beer industry provides beer to retail outletsin conventional kegs which commonly are peerless type kegs havingthree-fourths inch tapping openings which are most often closed withbungs or wooden plugs. To dispense the beer from the keg, a bartenderusually taps the keg by displacing the bung or plug into the keg andinserting an elongated tap rod, the keg-tapping device being fastened tothe keg by means of a bayonet" connection. The tapping device includes acompressed air inlet which, when connected to a suitable pressuresource, drives the beer through the tap rod out of the keg to a valvedfaucet. When the keg is empty, the bartender removes the tapping devicefrom the keg and installs it in a new keg, repeating the processpreviously described.

This conventional method of tapping a beer keg has a number ofdisadvantages which are set forth in detail in my previously notedcopending application Ser. No. 587,627. To eliminate these and otherdisadvantages, alternative tapping devices have been developed whichhave been adapted for use with the peerless keg having the three-fourthsinch tapping opening. Such devices are illustrated in the above-notedcopending application as well as in the other previously noted copendingapplication Ser. No. 607,297. A supplementary beer tapping system hasbeen developed including a new type of keg conventionally called theGolden Gate" keg. This keg employs a 1% inch tapping opening. Tappingdevices have been developed and constructed specifically for use withone or the other of these different type kegs. For example, in mycopending application Ser. No. 587,627, there is disclosed a tappingdevice comprising a keg unit specifically designed for installation inthe opening of a peerless type keg, the keg unit having separate beerand gas passageways with suitable check valves therein. The keg unit isinstalled in the keg at the brewery and seals the beer-filled keg. Atthe beer dispensing establishments, a tapping unit is connected to thekeg unit permitting the beer to be drawn under pressure. As a furtherexample, there is disclosed in US. Patent No. 3,065,885 a tapping devicespecifically adapted for the newer type golden gate keg, having the 1%inch opening. It will be readily appreciated that the tapping devicesemployed with the respective kegs are incompatible each with the other(with the exception of the tapping units described and disclosed in myabove-noted applications).

Moreover, it will be noted that the keg units which are employed witheither type of kegs are usually inserted through the filling opening inthe side of the keg. Considerable manipulation is required to disposethe keg unit in the tapping opening and to remove it therefrom. Keg andtapping unit cleaning at the brewery is thus considerably more difficultand laborious.

Generally, the present invention provides an improved tapping apparatuswhich overcomes the present incompatibility between the tapping deviceemployed with the one-type of keg with the structurally different keg ofthe other type. To accomplish this as well as to provide for the directand hence easier insertion of the keg unit into the tapping opening, agenerally conically shaped member having a central aperture is providedto receive the keg unit normally employed with the peerless type keghaving the smaller opening. The enlarged diameter lower end of theconical member is provided a gasket which seals against the annularshoulder conventionally provided about the larger opening of the goldengate keg. A coupler is secured about the keg unit above the conicalmember and has external threads which engage the internally threadedgolden gate opening. The coupler has additional external threads whichare compatible with the tapping unit of the peerless keg tapping devicesuch that its companion can be connected thereto. In this manner, manyof the keg units specifically adapted for use with the peerless type kegcan be employed with and secured to the kegs having the larger openingas in the golden gate kegs. It will be appreciated that peerless tappingdevices are not in any way modified or structurally changed in order toaccomplish the foregoing and that existing tapping devices of this typecan be employed with the present invention.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea keg tapping apparatus interchangeable for use with different size kegopenings.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a keg tappingadapter permitting connection of the tapping device normally employedwith the peerless type keg for use with a golden gate keg.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide adapter unitsfor the peerless tapping devices which are readily compatible with thegolden gate type kegs and which permit the insertion of the keg unitsthrough the tapping openings of the golden gate keg.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adapteraffording compatibility of the peerless tapping devices with the goldengate tapping devices and which does not require modification or changein structure in either the peerless tapping devices or the golden gatekeg openings.

These and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reference to the following specification,claims and appended drawings therein:

FIG. I is a schematic illustration of a beer tapping system employingthe tapping apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of a tapping device of thedouble probe type secured in a peerless type keg open- "8;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view showing the tappingdevice of FIG. 2 and an adapter assembly for use with a golden gate typekeg opening;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of the tapping device illustratedin FIG. 2 as finally secured in a golden gate type keg opening withportions thereof broken away and in cross section for ease ofillustration;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross section of another peerless type keg unitadapted for a golden gate opening; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of still another form of peerless typekeg unit adapted for connection in a golden gate opening.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is schematically shown a beer keg 10 of thesocalled golden gate type having an opening 12 in its top wall 14 whichis adapted to receive, in accordance with the present invention, a kegunit 16 normally employed with a peerless type keg opening. A companiontapping unit 18 is connected with the keg unit 16 to form a tappingassembly. The tapping unit 18 has a gas inlet 20 which is suitablyconnected at one end of a gas supply line 22, the opposite end of whichcommunicates with a gas supply tank 24. A suitable valve 26 may bedisposed in line 22 if desired. Tapping unit 18 has a beer outlet 27which is connected by a conventional coupler to one end of a flexibletube 28, the opposite end of which connects with a dispensing faucet 30.The keg and tapping units illustrated may be of the type disclosed in myabovementioned copending applications Ser. No. 587,627 and Ser. No.607,297 or may be of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,413, allof which units are specifically adapted for use with the three-fourthsinch peerless type keg opening.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a peerless type kegopening 32 defined by a cylindrical sleeve 34! which projects outwardlyof the upper wall Ma of a peerless keg terminating at its outer end in aradially outwardly extending flange 36. Keg opening 32 is a smooth borethree-fourths inch opening and receives a keg unit generally indicated16a which may be of the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,228,413.Reference is herein made to that patent for the details of the keg unitand the disclosure thereof is incorporated herein by reference. Briefly,keg unit 164 comprises a cylindrical body 38 having an upper portion 410which is externally threaded as at 42 and a diametrically enlarged baseportion 46 defining a radial shoulder 48. Keg unit 16:: has separatefluid and gas passages 33 and 35, respectively, having spring biasednormally closed valves 37 and 39, respectively. Keg unit 16a is securedin opening 32 by inserting the unit through the filling opening, notshown, in the sidewall of the keg and locating cylindrical body 38within opening 32.

Means for securing keg unit 16a in opening 32 is provided and comprisesan internally threaded retaining nut 50 which threads about theexternally threaded upper portion 40 with the lower surface of the nut50 bearing on flange 36. Threading action of a nut 50 on portion 40draws keg unit 16a upwardly within opening 32 with the gasket 49 onshoulder 48 butting and forming a fluid tight seal with the insidemarginal portions of the upper wall Ma about opening 32. The lower endof a tapping unit is illustrated at 52 and defines an annular shoulder54. A coupler 56 having a central aperture is disposed about the tappingunit and is internally threaded to cooperate with the external threadson nut 50 to clamp the tapping unit 52 to the keg unit 1160. Tappingunit 52 has a pair of fluid and gas probes S3 and 55, respectively,which are received within respective passages 33 and 35. The foregoingis illustrative of a keg and tapping device specifically designed foruse with the three-fourths inch peerless type keg opening. This device,as well as other types of similar tapping devices, has not heretoforebeen adapted for use with the larger keg opening of the golden gate typewith the exception of the tapping devices disclosed in my copendingapplications Ser. No. 607,297 and Ser. No. 587,627.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is illustrated a golden gate typekeg opening which as a diameter of IV; inches. As illustrated, theopening comprises a stepped sleeve 60 having an internally threadedportion 62 about its outer end and an intermediate reduced diametersmooth bore portion 64 and a reduced diameter opening 66 which definesan annular shoulder 63 with intermediate bore 64. Apart from thedifferences in diameter, it will thus be noted that the internalconfiguration of the golden gate type opening is considerably differentthan the smooth bore peerless type opening. It is a significant featurehereof that a keg unit, for example of the type illustrated in FIG. 2and specifically designed for a peerless type opening, is adapted forsecurement within the larger diameter stepped golden gate keg openingillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

To this end, there is provided a second means for securing keg unit 16awithin the enlarged keg opening illustrated in FIG. 4. The secondsecuring means comprises a coupling including a collar 70 and a nut.Truncated conical shaped collar 70 has a central bore 72. The lower endof bore 72 opens into a diametrically enlarged cylindrical recess 74formed in the lower face of collar 74), the recess 70 being adapted toreceive the lower cylindrical body portion 46 of of keg unit 16a. Thelower face of collar 70 is provided with an annular groove 76 about itsperiphery which receives an O-ring gasket 78. Annular retaining nutclamps collar 74 about the body portion '30 of keg unit 116a. The lowerend of nut 80 if formed to pro-. vide a frustoconical recess 82 whichconforms with the outer surface of collar 70. Nut 80 is internallythreaded and is engageable about the externally threaded upper portionof body d0. As seen in FIG. 4, by threading retaining nut 30 about theupper body portion 46, collar 70 is clamped between nut and shoulder 48with gasket 49 bearing against and providing a fluidtight seal with theannular shoulder defined by bore 72 and recess 74 of collar 70. Theupper portion of nut 80 is externally threaded and has a diameter as tobe threadedly engageable with the internally threaded coupler 56. Thelower end of retaining nut 80 is diametrically enlarged and externallythreaded as at 8:1 to threadedly engage about the internally threadedenlarged diameter portion 62 of stepped opening 60.

Thus, to adapt the peerless type keg unit for use with the largeropening of the golden gate keg, collar 70 is slipped over the upper bodyportion 410 of keg unit 1641 and nut 80 is threaded thereabout to clampcollar 70 against shoulder 48 with gasket 49 forming a fluid tight sealwith collar 70. This subassembly may then be inserted first, from theoutside of the keg. Nut 80 is then threaded about the internallythreaded sleeve 60 as at 62, and it will be seen that gasket 78 bears onthe annular shoulder 68 of the keg opening with keg unit 16a being drawndown into the keg opening until a proper seal is efiected.

The foregoing is usually performed at the brewery and it is noted thatthe keg may then be filled with beer through its side opening with thetapping unit effectively preventing outflow of beer from the keg. Whenthe keg is to be tapped, the probes of the tapping unit 52 are insertedin the associated openings of the keg unit 1611. Coupler 56 is thenthreadedly engaged about retaining nut 80 and the tapping unit isclamped down on the keg unit such that the ends of probes 53 and 54 openthe normally closed fluid and gas valves 37 and 39, respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a tapping unit 161; of the typespecifically adapted for use with a peerless type keg opening. Keg unit16b is of the type specifically described and illustrated in mycopending application Ser. No. 607,297 which disclosure is incorporatedherein by reference.

It is sufficient to note, for present purposes, that keg unit 16bincludes a valve retainer insert 210, a chucking washer 212 below insert210 and 2112 forming a valve seat a bifurcated stainless steel valve 214and a spring 216. The valve is supported in a center section 21% whichis received in a T-section 1127. T-section is enclosed within sleeve2'30 and, in conjunction with sleeve 2tltl, retains the upper end of aone-way check valve 200 formed of a semirigid material. Suitablyattached to the lower end of center section 2118 is a plastic tube 222which is suitably secured within the lower end of valve 200 and securedby means of a plastic ferrule 226 to a siphon tube 228. Insert 210 hasfour cooperating external threads 230, equidistantly spaced about itsperiphery forming four slots 232. These threads engage the internalthreads of T-section 127 in a manner leaving a gas passage through slots232 between center section 2R8 and sleeve 2190 in communication withvalve 200. Chucking washer 212 abuts the underside of insert 210 and hasa reduced diameter lower portion 240 which butts a flange on valve 2%.Valve spring 216 biases valve 214 into sealing engagement with washer2112 to seal the fluid passage which extends through probe 223, thecenter section 2W, past the normally closed valve 214 and O-ring sealinggaskets 142. Thus, by displacing valve 234 downwardly against the biasof the spring 2% by means of the probe, not shown, of the associatedtapping unit, a fluid passage is provided into the keg. Slots 290 areformed in the side of valve 200 which slots open when gas is passedthrough the gas passage into the keg but which remain normally closed.

It is noted that the body portion or sleeve 2M! has a diameter smallerthan the three-fourths inch opening of the peerless type keg. Anenlarged diameter stepped flange 26) is provided at the upper end ofT-section 1127. To secure this type of tapping unit in the Golden typeopening, a 1% inch internal diameter annular sealing ring 332 is seatedon the shoulder 68 of the keg opening and is held in place by the lowerflange 314 of a skirt or member 316, preferably formed of plastic. Theskirt is generally in the form of a truncated cone having a centralopening at its upper end. When assembled, flange 314 bears tightlyagainst the ring 312 thereby forming a liquid and gas tight seal betweenthe skirt and the keg. The upper end of skirt 316 also provided with aflange 318 suitably stiffened by ribs 320, flange 318 engaging theannular sealing ring 282 disposed about body 200 below flange 260 toprovide an air and gas tight seal at this point between the skirt andthe keg unit 16b. The entire unit is held in place and pressure isapplied to this sealing ring by means of a ring 322, preferably formedof brass, which is externally threaded at two places, namely 324 and326. Threads 326 engage with the internal threads 62 on the keg totightly clamp the entire unit in place. Threads 324 are provided toengage with a collar, not shown, for retaining a tapping unit on the kegunit 16b.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated another form of keg unit160 which is specifically adapted for use with the peerless type keg.The details of this particular type of keg unit are fully disclosed andillustrated in applicants copending application Ser. No. 587,627 whichdisclosure is herein incorporated by reference. The keg unit 160 has atubular body section 770 including a stepped flange 780 at its upper endand has four interrupted internal threads about its upper portion toreceive an externally threaded insert 92c. The lower end of insert 92ctightly engages an annular rubber valve seat 88c to secure valve seat880 between the insert 926 and the upper end of a stepped tubular member184. A compression spring 97 fits within the upper portion of the member184 and its lower end rests on shoulder 189. Spring 97 biases valve 900upwardly against the underside of valve seat 880 to form a sealthereagainst. A resilient gas check valve 108a is positioned about thelower end of member 184 with a lower portion of valve 1081: tightlyengaging about a tap rod 1060, the lower end of the body 770 beingstepped inwardly to tightly receive the upper end of valve 1080. One ormore slits 109 are formed through valve 108:: to permit gas or air topass from the inside of the valve which receives air or gas through theslots between the interrupted threads to the interior of the keg whenthe pressure of the gas is greater than the pressure inside the keg.

it will be noted that body section 770 has a diameter less than thethree-fifths inch opening of the peerless type keg. To retain thispeerless type keg unit in the golden gate opening, a l] 2 inch internaldiameter annular sealing ring 248 is seated on the shoulder 68 of thekeg opening and is held in place by the lower flange 250 of abell-shaped member 252. When assembled as illustrated, the flange 250bears tightly against the ring 248 thereby forming a liquid and gas sealtherebetween. As in the previous form, a stepped flange 78c is formed onthe upper end of the keg unit 16c. A central opening 254 is formed inthe upper end of member 252 and is of such a size that the body section77c of keg unit 16c is able to pass freely therethrough while the lowerside of the flange 78c engages the edges thereof. A sealing ring 256 ispositioned between the underside of flange 78c and the upper flange onmember 252 to form a liquid and gas seal therebetween. A ring 126 havingan inwardly extending flange 255 at one end and different diameterexternal threads 128 and 258 is located over body 770 such that flange255 bears against stepped flange 780. The larger diameter externallythreaded portion 258 engages the internally threaded portion 62 of thekeg opening as to securely hold the ring 126 within the opening. Whenthe ring 126 is tightly threaded into the opening, it causes the flange780 to bear against the flange 255 of ring 126 so as to support the kegunit 16c rigidly within the keg.

Thus, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Thepresent embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather then by the foregoingdescription and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What I claim and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patentis:

1. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a trapping unit and a kegor like container which has top, bottom and sidewalls with an enlargedopening in at least one wall and an outer threaded portion within saidopening and an inner unthreaded shoulder of smaller diameter than saidthreaded portion surrounding said keg wall opening, said apparatuscomprising: a keg unit having a main, generally cylindrical body portionand an annular flange, said body portion and said flange havingdiameters less than the diameter of the enlarged keg opening such thatan annular space is formed between said body portion and the keg wallopening when the former is secured within the latter, a liquid passageextending through said keg unit for the transfer of liquid from theinside to the outside of the keg, normally closed liquid valve meansdisposed in said liquid passage, a gas passage in said keg unit separatefrom liquid passage for transmission of gas from the outside to theinside of the keg, normally closed gas valve means disposed incommunication with said passage, means for securing said keg unit withinthe enlarged keg wall opening including an annular axially elongatedmember having a central opening with an edge thereof bearing outwardlyagainst said body flange outwardly of the threaded portion of the kegopening, said member having a larger diameter opposite edge portionadapted to bear inwardly against the keg shoulder about the keg openingthereby spanning said annular space between the keg unit body portionand the keg wall opening, a ring member having a central opening with anouter portion thereof clampingly engageable inwardly against an outeredge of said body flange outwardly of the threaded portion of the kegopening, said ring member having a first larger diameter externallythreaded portion for engagement with the threaded portion surroundingthe keg wall opening whereby said annular member and said keg unit areadapted to be releasably clamped between the keg wall shoulder and theouter portion of said ring member, said ring member including a secondexternally threaded portion outwardly of said first threaded portion forthreaded engagement with a tapping unit.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said annular member isfrustoconicai in shape.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said annular member isgenerally bell-shaped.

4. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like containerwhich as top, bottom and sidewalls with an enlarged opening in at leastone wall and a threaded portion and unthreaded shoulder of smallerdiameter than said threaded portion surrounding said keg wall opening,said apparatus comprising a keg unit having a main, generallycylindrical body portion with an outwardly facing annular shoulder andan outer externally threaded body portion, a liquid passage extendingthrough said keg unit for the transfer of liquid from the inside to theoutside of the keg, normally closed liquid valve means disposed in saidliquid passage, a gas passage in said keg unit separate from said liquidpassage for transmission of gas from the outside to the inside gaspassage, means for securing said keg unit within the enlarged keg wallopening including an annular member having a central opening and aninwardly facing edge engageable with the annular shoulder of the kegunit, said member having a larger diameter edge portion adapted to bearinwardly against the keg shoulder extending about the keg opening, ringmeans including a central internally threaded opening threadedlyengageable about the upper externally threaded body portion of said kegunit and engageable with said annular member whereby said annular memberis releasably clamped between the annular shoulder of the main bodyportion and said ring means, said ring means including an externallythreaded portion for engagement with the threaded keg portionsurrounding the keg opening for releasably clamping said annular memberbetween the keg wall shoulder and said ring means. a

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said annular member isfrustoconical in shape and said ring means comprises a member having afrustoconical recess formed in its lower end substantially complementaryto the frustoconically shaped annular member for receiving the latterwhen the annular member is releasably clamped by the main body portionand said ring member.

6. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use in a keg or likecontainer for liquids which has a top, bottom and sidewalls with anopening in one wall of said keg characterized in that it comprises a kegadapter including: a central body adapted to be secured within the kegwall opening and having a liquid passage extending through said body topermit transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of a keg;normally closed liquid valve means in said liquid passage, including aseat having an opening therethrough, and a valve member having abifurcated stem extending through said opening and said seat; withresilient means normally biasing part of said valve member into sealingengagement with said seat, an intermediate member surrounding saidcentral body and having slots completely through its walls defining aplurality of gas passageways around said central body, a solid sleevesurrounding said intermediate member, a siphon tube coupled with saidliquid passage; a slit annular gas valve having a portion thereofsurrounding the lower end of said intermediate member and anotherportion extending around said central member, said valve permitting flowof gas toward the inside of said keg and preventing flow of liquid fromthe keg into said gas passageways, and a skirt surrounding said sleeve,said skirt flaring outwardly from said sleeve atits lower end, and aflange at each end of said skirt whereby said skirt is adapted tosupport said keg adapter in a keg.

7. A liquid dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 6 including athreaded metal ring for clamping said skirt to a keg.

8. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg tapping coupler anda keg or like container which has a top, bottom and sidewalls with anenlarged opening in at least one wall and an outer threaded portion andan inner unthreaded shoulder of smaller diameter than said threadedportion surrounding said keg wall opening, said apparatus comprising: akeg adapter unit having a main body with an annular flange and adaptedfor releasable securement with the keg with said main body disposedwithin the keg opening; a liquid passage extending through said adapterunit main body for the transfer of liquid from the inside to the outsideof the keg; normally closed liquid valve means disposed in said liquidpassage; at least one gas passage in said adapter unit body, bypassingsaid liquid passage, for transmission of gas from the outside to theinside of the keg; valve means associated with the end of said gaspassage permitting flow of gas toward the inside of the keg andpreventing flow of liquid from said keg into said gas passage; means forsecuring said adapter unit within the enlarged keg wall opening, saidmeans including an axially elongated annular member having a centralopening and an edge thereof positionable against the underside of theflange of said adapter unit outwardly of the threaded portion of the kegopening; a ring member having a central opening the edge of which ispositionable against the other outer side of the flange of said adapterunit main body outwardly of the threaded portion of the keg opening,said ring having a first externally threaded portion for engagement withthe threaded keg portion surrounding said keg opening, whereby saidadapter unit flange is adapted to be releasably clamped between saidthreaded ring and said annular member, and a second externally threadedportion outwardly of said first portion engageable with the coupler.

9. A liquid dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein saidannular member is bell-shaped, and further comprising a sealing memberengageable between the lower end of said bell-shaped member and said kegshoulder surrounding the opening, and another sealing member engageablebetween the upper end of the bell-shaped member and said keg adapterflange.

M}. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said body flange is stepped,said ring member edge portion being complementary stepped and engageablewith said body flange, and a seal between said body flange and saidannular member edge portion.

llll. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said liquid and gaspassages in said keg unit comprise discrete passages radially offsetfrom the axis of said cylindrical body portion, said passages includinga pair of bores extending in an axial direction in said upper bodyportion in spaced side-by-side relation one to the other and openingthrough the top of said body portion.

12. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said ring member isexternally stepped, the threaded portion thereabout being formed on oneof the stepped portions of said ring member and engageable with thethreaded portions surrounding the keg opening, and a second externallythreaded portion being formed on a smaller diameter stepped portion ofsaid ring member for engagement with a tapping unit coupler.

I13. Liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a tapping unit comprisinga keg or like container having top, bottom and sidewalls with anenlarged opening in at least one wall and an outer threaded portion andan inner unthreaded shoulder of smaller diameter than said threadedportion surrounding said keg wall opening, a keg unit having a main,generally cylindrical body portion and an annular flange, said bodyportion and said flange having diameters less than the diameter of saidenlarged keg opening such that an annular space is formed between saidbody portion and the keg wall about said one opening when the former issecured within the latter, a liquid passage extending through said kegunit for the transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of saidkeg, normally closed liquid valve means disposed in said liquid passage,a gas passage in said keg unit separate from said liquid passage fortransmission of gas from the outside to the inside of the keg, normallyclosed gas valve means disposed in said gas passage, means for securingsaid keg unit within said enlarged keg wall opening including an annularaxially elongated member having a central opening with an edge thereofbearing outwardly against said body flange outwardly of the threadedportion of said keg opening, said member having a larger diameteropposite edge portion positioned inwardly against the keg shoulder aboutsaid keg opening thereby spanning said annular space between the kegunit body portion and said keg wall opening, a ring member having acentral opening with an outer portion thereof bearing inwardly againstsaid body flange outwardly of the threaded portion of said keg opening,said ring member having a first larger diameter externally threadedportion threadedly engaged with the threaded portion surrounding saidkeg wall opening whereby said annular member and said keg unit arereleasably clamped between said keg wall shoulder and the outer portionof said ring member, said ring member including a second externallythreaded portion outwardly of said first threaded portion for threadedengagement with the tapping unit.

M. Liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a keg or like container whichhas top, bottom and sidewalls with an enlarged opening in at least onewall and a threaded portion and unthreaded shoulder of smaller diameterthan said threaded portion surrounding said keg wall opening, a keg unithaving a main, generally cylindrical body portion with an outwardlyfacing annular shoulder and an upper externally threaded body portion, aliquid passage extending through said keg unit for the transfer ofliquid from the inside to the outside of said keg, normally closedliquid valve means disposed in said liquid passage, a gas passage insaid keg unit separate from said liquid passage for transmission of gasfrom the outside to the inside of said keg, normally closed gas valvemeans disposed in said gas passage, means for securing said keg unitwithin said enlarged keg wall opening including an annular member havinga central opening with an inwardly facing edge thereof positionedagainst the annular shoulder of said keg unit, said member having alarger diameter edge portion positioned inwardly against the kegshoulder about said keg opening, ring means including a centralinternally threaded opening threadedly engaging about the upperexternally threaded body portion of said keg unit and engageable withsaid annular member whereby said annular member is releasably clampedbetween the annular shoulder of the main body portion and said ringmeans, said ring means including an externally threaded portionthreadedly engaging said threaded keg portion surrounding the kegopening whereby said annular member is releasably clamped between saidkeg wall shoulder and said ring means.

15. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg tapping coupler anda keg or like container which has top, bottom and sidewalls with anenlarged opening in at least one wall and an outer internally threadedportion and an inner unthreaded shoulder of smaller diameter than saidthreaded portion surrounding said keg wall opening, said apparatuscomprising: a keg adapter unit having a main body with an annular flangeportion, said keg adapter unit being adapted for releasable securementwith the keg with said main body disposed within the keg opening; saidkeg adapter unit having a diameter less than the diameter of the kegopening; a liquid passage extending through said keg adapter unit mainbody for the transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of thekeg; normally closed liquid valve means disposed in said liquid passage;a gas passage in said adapter unit body bypassing said liquid passage,for transmission of gas from the outside to the inside of the keg; valvemeans associated with said gas passage for permitting flow of gas towardthe inside of the keg and, when closed, preventing outflow of liquidfrom the keg through said gas passage; means for securing said adapterunit within the enlarged keg wall opening including first and secondring members, said first and second ring members having central openingsfor receiving said adapter unit, said first ring member having a portionthereof about its central opening positionable against said annularflange portion, said second ring member including means for releasablyclamping said adapter unit to said first ring member, one of said firstand second ring members having an enlarged diameter externally threadedportion for engagement with the threaded portion surrounding the kegopening to releasably retain said adapter unit in the keg openmg.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein one of said ring membersincluding an externally threaded portion for releasable securement withthe keg tapping coupler.

17. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said second ring membercarries said externally threaded portion, said annular flange portionbeing clamped between said first and second ring members.

18. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the clamping means carriedby said second ring member includes an internally threaded portion, saidadapter body having an externally threaded portion for threadedengagement with the internally threaded portion of said second ring.

19. Liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a tapping unit comprising akeg or like container having top, bottom and sidewalls with an enlargedopening in at least one wall and an outer internally threaded portionand an inner unthreaded shoulder of smaller diameter than said threadedportion surrounding said keg wall opening, a keg unit having a main,generally cylindrical body portion and an annular flange portion, saidbody portion and said flange portion having diameters less than thediameter of said enlarged keg opening, a liquid passage extendingthrough said keg unit for the transfer of liquid from the inside to theoutside of said keg, normally closed liquid valve means disposed in saidliquid passage, a gas passage in said keg unit separate from said liquidpassage for transmission of gas from the outside to the inside of thekeg, normally closed gas valve means disposed in said gas passage, meansfor securing said keg unit within said enlarged keg wall openingincluding first and second ring members having central openings forreceiving said adapter unit, said first ring member having a portionthereof about said central opening positionable against said annularflange portion, said second ring member including means for releasablyclamping said keg unit to said first ring member, one of said first andsecond ring members having an enlarged diameter externally threadedportion threadedly engageable with the threaded portion surrounding saidkeg opening to releasably retain said keg unit in said keg opening.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 1, 57Dated July 6, 1971 Inventor) MACK S. JOHNSTON It is certified that errorappears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

In Column .2 line 43, "therein" should read --wherein-- In Column 3 line47, "as" should read -has-- In Column 3, line 73 "if" should read -is--In Column 4, line 18, after "inserted" and before "first" the followingshould be inserted --through the keg opening, with beer probe P beinginserted-- In Column 4, line 45, "T-section" should read --Tsectionl27-.

In Column 5, line 7, "also provided" should read --is also provided-- InColumn 6, line 5, Claim 1, "trapping" should read --tapping--.

In Column 6, line 8, Claim I, cancel within said opening".

In Column 6, line 20, Claim 1, "liquid" should read -said liquid Column6, line 22 Claim 1, "passage" should read --gas passage-- Column 6, line48, Claim 4, "as" should read -has-- Column 6, line 59, Claim 4, after"inside" and before "gas passage" insert --of the keg, normally closedgas valve means disposed in said-- p In Column 7, line 59, Claim 8,after "opening" first occurrence and before the semi-colon, insert -;andalso having another larger edge portion positionable inwardly againstthe keg shoulder extending around the keg opening- Signed and sealedthis 15th day oi February 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK JR. EDWARD M'FLFTCHER Commissioner of Pa AttestingOfficer FORM 90-1050 (10-69) UICOMH-DC wan-Poo Q-I. mun-nu VIII?!OIIICI: IOII O-JOl-LH

1. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a trapping unit and a kegor like container which has top, bottom and sidewalls with an enlargedopening in at least one wall and an outer threaded portion within saidopening and an inner unthreaded shoulder of smaller diameter than saidthreaded portion surrounding said keg wall opening, said apparatuscomprising: a keg unit having a main, generally cylindrical body portionand an annular flange, said body portion and said flange havingdiameters less than the diameter of the enlarged keg opening such thatan annular space is formed between said body portion and the keg wallopening when the former is secured within the lAtter, a liquid passageextending through said keg unit for the transfer of liquid from theinside to the outside of the keg, normally closed liquid valve meansdisposed in said liquid passage, a gas passage in said keg unit separatefrom liquid passage for transmission of gas from the outside to theinside of the keg, normally closed gas valve means disposed incommunication with said passage, means for securing said keg unit withinthe enlarged keg wall opening including an annular axially elongatedmember having a central opening with an edge thereof bearing outwardlyagainst said body flange outwardly of the threaded portion of the kegopening, said member having a larger diameter opposite edge portionadapted to bear inwardly against the keg shoulder about the keg openingthereby spanning said annular space between the keg unit body portionand the keg wall opening, a ring member having a central opening with anouter portion thereof clampingly engageable inwardly against an outeredge of said body flange outwardly of the threaded portion of the kegopening, said ring member having a first larger diameter externallythreaded portion for engagement with the threaded portion surroundingthe keg wall opening whereby said annular member and said keg unit areadapted to be releasably clamped between the keg wall shoulder and theouter portion of said ring member, said ring member including a secondexternally threaded portion outwardly of said first threaded portion forthreaded engagement with a tapping unit.
 2. Apparatus according to claim1 wherein said annular member is frustoconical in shape.
 3. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said annular member is generallybell-shaped.
 4. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or likecontainer which as top, bottom and sidewalls with an enlarged opening inat least one wall and a threaded portion and unthreaded shoulder ofsmaller diameter than said threaded portion surrounding said keg wallopening, said apparatus comprising a keg unit having a main, generallycylindrical body portion with an outwardly facing annular shoulder andan outer externally threaded body portion, a liquid passage extendingthrough said keg unit for the transfer of liquid from the inside to theoutside of the keg, normally closed liquid valve means disposed in saidliquid passage, a gas passage in said keg unit separate from said liquidpassage for transmission of gas from the outside to the inside gaspassage, means for securing said keg unit within the enlarged keg wallopening including an annular member having a central opening and aninwardly facing edge engageable with the annular shoulder of the kegunit, said member having a larger diameter edge portion adapted to bearinwardly against the keg shoulder extending about the keg opening, ringmeans including a central internally threaded opening threadedlyengageable about the upper externally threaded body portion of said kegunit and engageable with said annular member whereby said annular memberis releasably clamped between the annular shoulder of the main bodyportion and said ring means, said ring means including an externallythreaded portion for engagement with the threaded keg portionsurrounding the keg opening for releasably clamping said annular memberbetween the keg wall shoulder and said ring means.
 5. Apparatusaccording to claim 4 wherein said annular member is frustoconical inshape and said ring means comprises a member having a frustoconicalrecess formed in its lower end substantially complementary to thefrustoconically shaped annular member for receiving the latter when theannular member is releasably clamped by the main body portion and saidring member.
 6. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use in a kegor like container for liquids which has a top, bottom and sidewalls withan opening in one wall of said keg characterized in that it comprises akeg adapter including: a central body adapted to be secured within thekeg wall opening and havIng a liquid passage extending through said bodyto permit transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of a keg;normally closed liquid valve means in said liquid passage, including aseat having an opening therethrough, and a valve member having abifurcated stem extending through said opening and said seat; withresilient means normally biasing part of said valve member into sealingengagement with said seat, an intermediate member surrounding saidcentral body and having slots completely through its walls defining aplurality of gas passageways around said central body, a solid sleevesurrounding said intermediate member, a siphon tube coupled with saidliquid passage; a slit annular gas valve having a portion thereofsurrounding the lower end of said intermediate member and anotherportion extending around said central member, said valve permitting flowof gas toward the inside of said keg and preventing flow of liquid fromthe keg into said gas passageways, and a skirt surrounding said sleeve,said skirt flaring outwardly from said sleeve at its lower end, and aflange at each end of said skirt whereby said skirt is adapted tosupport said keg adapter in a keg.
 7. A liquid dispensing apparatus asdefined in claim 6 including a threaded metal ring for clamping saidskirt to a keg.
 8. A liquid dispensing apparatus for use with a kegtapping coupler and a keg or like container which has a top, bottom andsidewalls with an enlarged opening in at least one wall and an outerthreaded portion and an inner unthreaded shoulder of smaller diameterthan said threaded portion surrounding said keg wall opening, saidapparatus comprising: a keg adapter unit having a main body with anannular flange and adapted for releasable securement with the keg withsaid main body disposed within the keg opening; a liquid passageextending through said adapter unit main body for the transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of the keg; normally closed liquid valvemeans disposed in said liquid passage; at least one gas passage in saidadapter unit body, bypassing said liquid passage, for transmission ofgas from the outside to the inside of the keg; valve means associatedwith the end of said gas passage permitting flow of gas toward theinside of the keg and preventing flow of liquid from said keg into saidgas passage; means for securing said adapter unit within the enlargedkeg wall opening, said means including an axially elongated annularmember having a central opening and an edge thereof positionable againstthe underside of the flange of said adapter unit outwardly of thethreaded portion of the keg opening; a ring member having a centralopening the edge of which is positionable against the other outer sideof the flange of said adapter unit main body outwardly of the threadedportion of the keg opening, said ring having a first externally threadedportion for engagement with the threaded keg portion surrounding saidkeg opening, whereby said adapter unit flange is adapted to bereleasably clamped between said threaded ring and said annular member,and a second externally threaded portion outwardly of said first portionengageable with the coupler.
 9. A liquid dispensing apparatus as definedin claim 8 wherein said annular member is bell-shaped, and furthercomprising a sealing member engageable between the lower end of saidbell-shaped member and said keg shoulder surrounding the opening, andanother sealing member engageable between the upper end of thebell-shaped member and said keg adapter flange.
 10. Apparatus accordingto claim 9 wherein said body flange is stepped, said ring member edgeportion being complementary stepped and engageable with said bodyflange, and a seal between said body flange and said annular member edgeportion.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said liquid and gaspassages in said keg unit comprise discrete passages radially offsetfrom the axis of said cylindrical body portion, said passages includinga pair of bores exTending in an axial direction in said upper bodyportion in spaced side-by-side relation one to the other and openingthrough the top of said body portion.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 5wherein said ring member is externally stepped, the threaded portionthereabout being formed on one of the stepped portions of said ringmember and engageable with the threaded portions surrounding the kegopening, and a second externally threaded portion being formed on asmaller diameter stepped portion of said ring member for engagement witha tapping unit coupler.
 13. Liquid dispensing apparatus for use with atapping unit comprising a keg or like container having top, bottom andsidewalls with an enlarged opening in at least one wall and an outerthreaded portion and an inner unthreaded shoulder of smaller diameterthan said threaded portion surrounding said keg wall opening, a keg unithaving a main, generally cylindrical body portion and an annular flange,said body portion and said flange having diameters less than thediameter of said enlarged keg opening such that an annular space isformed between said body portion and the keg wall about said one openingwhen the former is secured within the latter, a liquid passage extendingthrough said keg unit for the transfer of liquid from the inside to theoutside of said keg, normally closed liquid valve means disposed in saidliquid passage, a gas passage in said keg unit separate from said liquidpassage for transmission of gas from the outside to the inside of thekeg, normally closed gas valve means disposed in said gas passage, meansfor securing said keg unit within said enlarged keg wall openingincluding an annular axially elongated member having a central openingwith an edge thereof bearing outwardly against said body flangeoutwardly of the threaded portion of said keg opening, said memberhaving a larger diameter opposite edge portion positioned inwardlyagainst the keg shoulder about said keg opening thereby spanning saidannular space between the keg unit body portion and said keg wallopening, a ring member having a central opening with an outer portionthereof bearing inwardly against said body flange outwardly of thethreaded portion of said keg opening, said ring member having a firstlarger diameter externally threaded portion threadedly engaged with thethreaded portion surrounding said keg wall opening whereby said annularmember and said keg unit are releasably clamped between said keg wallshoulder and the outer portion of said ring member, said ring memberincluding a second externally threaded portion outwardly of said firstthreaded portion for threaded engagement with the tapping unit. 14.Liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a keg or like container which hastop, bottom and sidewalls with an enlarged opening in at least one walland a threaded portion and unthreaded shoulder of smaller diameter thansaid threaded portion surrounding said keg wall opening, a keg unithaving a main, generally cylindrical body portion with an outwardlyfacing annular shoulder and an upper externally threaded body portion, aliquid passage extending through said keg unit for the transfer ofliquid from the inside to the outside of said keg, normally closedliquid valve means disposed in said liquid passage, a gas passage insaid keg unit separate from said liquid passage for transmission of gasfrom the outside to the inside of said keg, normally closed gas valvemeans disposed in said gas passage, means for securing said keg unitwithin said enlarged keg wall opening including an annular member havinga central opening with an inwardly facing edge thereof positionedagainst the annular shoulder of said keg unit, said member having alarger diameter edge portion positioned inwardly against the kegshoulder about said keg opening, ring means including a centralinternally threaded opening threadedly engaging about the upperexternally threaded body portion of said keg unit and engageable withsaid annular member wherebY said annular member is releasably clampedbetween the annular shoulder of the main body portion and said ringmeans, said ring means including an externally threaded portionthreadedly engaging said threaded keg portion surrounding the kegopening whereby said annular member is releasably clamped between saidkeg wall shoulder and said ring means.
 15. A liquid dispensing apparatusfor use with a keg tapping coupler and a keg or like container which hastop, bottom and sidewalls with an enlarged opening in at least one walland an outer internally threaded portion and an inner unthreadedshoulder of smaller diameter than said threaded portion surrounding saidkeg wall opening, said apparatus comprising: a keg adapter unit having amain body with an annular flange portion, said keg adapter unit beingadapted for releasable securement with the keg with said main bodydisposed within the keg opening; said keg adapter unit having a diameterless than the diameter of the keg opening; a liquid passage extendingthrough said keg adapter unit main body for the transfer of liquid fromthe inside to the outside of the keg; normally closed liquid valve meansdisposed in said liquid passage; a gas passage in said adapter unit bodybypassing said liquid passage, for transmission of gas from the outsideto the inside of the keg; valve means associated with said gas passagefor permitting flow of gas toward the inside of the keg and, whenclosed, preventing outflow of liquid from the keg through said gaspassage; means for securing said adapter unit within the enlarged kegwall opening including first and second ring members, said first andsecond ring members having central openings for receiving said adapterunit, said first ring member having a portion thereof about its centralopening positionable against said annular flange portion, said secondring member including means for releasably clamping said adapter unit tosaid first ring member, one of said first and second ring members havingan enlarged diameter externally threaded portion for engagement with thethreaded portion surrounding the keg opening to releasably retain saidadapter unit in the keg opening.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 15wherein one of said ring members including an externally threadedportion for releasable securement with the keg tapping coupler. 17.Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said second ring member carriessaid externally threaded portion, said annular flange portion beingclamped between said first and second ring members.
 18. Apparatusaccording to claim 15 wherein the clamping means carried by said secondring member includes an internally threaded portion, said adapter bodyhaving an externally threaded portion for threaded engagement with theinternally threaded portion of said second ring.
 19. Liquid dispensingapparatus for use with a tapping unit comprising a keg or like containerhaving top, bottom and sidewalls with an enlarged opening in at leastone wall and an outer internally threaded portion and an innerunthreaded shoulder of smaller diameter than said threaded portionsurrounding said keg wall opening, a keg unit having a main, generallycylindrical body portion and an annular flange portion, said bodyportion and said flange portion having diameters less than the diameterof said enlarged keg opening, a liquid passage extending through saidkeg unit for the transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside ofsaid keg, normally closed liquid valve means disposed in said liquidpassage, a gas passage in said keg unit separate from said liquidpassage for transmission of gas from the outside to the inside of thekeg, normally closed gas valve means disposed in said gas passage, meansfor securing said keg unit within said enlarged keg wall openingincluding first and second ring members having central openings forreceiving said adapter unit, said first ring member having a portionthereof about said central opening positionable against said annularflange portIon, said second ring member including means for releasablyclamping said keg unit to said first ring member, one of said first andsecond ring members having an enlarged diameter externally threadedportion threadedly engageable with the threaded portion surrounding saidkeg opening to releasably retain said keg unit in said keg opening.